(WBEN) - The push from Republican leaders in Albany continues for Gov. Kathy Hochul to call to order a special session of the State Legislature to address the ongoing migrant crisis across New York.
The latest push came from the New York State Assembly Republicans with Minority Leader Will Barclay being joined by others in the conference calling on Gov. Hochul to convene for a special session in Legislative Chambers.
"We understand this is not a panacea, it's not a silver bullet, it's not going to solve everything. But we feel it's the time to act," said Assemblyman Barclay during a press conference outside the former St. Agnes Academic High School in College Point, Queens. "We can't wait until we get back into session in January. We've got to go back and start addressing some of these issues right now."
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While Republican leaders at the state level are hoping to see the federal government take action on the immigration crisis ongoing at the Southern border, some leaders feel they can't stay static and wait for a solution. It's time for action at the state level sooner rather than later.
"We've heard time-and-time again, this a migrant crisis. It really is a crisis. This is taxing our social services, it's taxing our law enforcement, and it's certainly taxing our citizens in our communities," Barclay said. "We've had over 100,000 migrants come into New York State. So far, the state has spent $1.5 billion, and as you've probably heard, [New York City] Mayor [Eric] Adams said we're going to spend upwards to $12 billion on this. So why is this happening? Why is this happening all of a sudden? I think we can lay the blame squarely at the feet of this administration of Joe Biden. His soft border, his open, porous border is allowing people coming in. Certainly he's not deporting people like he should, and by providing asylum or allowing people to apply for asylum, this is encouraging more people to come across the border."
"Real leadership, you take the bull by the horns and you make those difficult decisions. And you give guidance to your residents, to the people of New York State. Right now, we're lacking that," said Assemblyman Michael Reilly from District 62. "We're lacking leadership on all fronts. So we're here to tell you, it's time. Step up, pull up your pants, put on a glove and get in the game."
There are a number of issues Republican Assemblymembers are hoping to address in Legislative Chambers in Albany, if the call comes from the Governor to convene. This includes the future monitoring of spending at the state level when it comes to supporting migrants.
"We want the State Comptroller to make sure they look at all the aid packages that are coming from the federal government and the state government to New York City and all municipalities. We've got to make sure that we have some oversight on that purse. Otherwise, we have that wild spending," Assemblyman Reilly said. "You just heard in the New York Post, $24 million given to not-for-profits so they can run two shelters in Manhattan. Where's the accountability? Where's the transparency? That's what we're calling for."
Also among the items state Republican leaders are hoping to properly address in a special session includes background checks and the registration of asylum seekers at a state level, as well as protecting counties and municipalities from the right to shelter.
"We're hearing a lot about that in New York right now. Does it apply to New York City? Does it apply to the state? It's time for those in charge, the Majority, Democrats, to grow a pair and really say what you mean. Let New Yorkers know what you mean by 'right to shelter'. Let your neighbors know. It's called accountability, and that's what we're looking to do," Reilly said.
"We're here, we have the courage. Let's get to work."
Republicans in the State Assembly spoke on Tuesday just days after State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt penned a letter to Gov. Hochul, along with Barclay, seeking a special session on the migrant crisis, which he claims was caused by a failure of Democratic policies.
"It's a political crisis caused first by open border policies at the federal level and a complete abdication of responsibility to secure our border, and then to even assist states with the impacts of that. And then obviously, New York State, New York City specifically, is a sanctuary city, sanctuary policies which, obviously, draw in and become sort of a beacon, as a destination for these asylum seekers, migrants, illegal immigrants - whatever term you want to use, but it's really all the same. Those two policies have led to this crisis," said Ortt in an interview with WBEN.
Ortt points out that even Democrats are calling the current state of the migrant issue a crisis. This includes Gov. Hochul and Mayor Adams, who have tried to plead their case in Washington and the Biden administration.
As has been the case in the past, Ortt says when there are crises that are engulfing New York State, residents deserve their elected leaders to take action.
"It might not completely solve it, but there are things we can do at our level, and I think that's the biggest thing that people want from their government. What can you do?," he said in line with Assemblyman Barclay. "You can point the finger all day long, but what can we do at our level to try and address this crisis? I think there are things we can do."
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While the Governor has yet to schedule a call back to Albany for a special legislative session, Ortt points to a number of other special sessions in the past that he would term as far-less important issues, and far-less pertinent issues than the migrant crisis. This includes special sessions related to passing gun control legislation and a pay increase for legislators.
"This isn't a pandemic, not a blizzard, this isn't an act of God. This is a result of failed politics and failed policies, open borders policies and sanctuary city policies," Ortt said.
Sen. Ortt is also in-line with the Assembly Republicans when it comes to a clarification of the right to shelter in New York, and more monitoring for additional funding towards the migrant issue in the state. He feels all of the items on the agenda, and possibly more, could be addressed in a special session.
However, Ortt is not exuding any sort of confidence, at this time, that a special session such as requested will take place.
"I'm not going to hold my breath that the Governor is going to exert leadership in this. I hope she does, I think she should, but so far, we haven't seen that," Ortt said. "And certainly my colleagues on the Democratic side of the aisle, particularly from the city and on the far-left, they've advocated for these policies. So I don't know that they're going to be quick to try and overturn them, even though there's clearly a crisis that the City of New York and the State of New York are unable to handle, and is only getting worse."
Ortt hopes to have a conversation with Gov. Hochul and her office in the near future. He also suspects there are some Democrats who may start to, at least, privately discuss the idea of holding a special session, on top of the Republicans that have already co-signed the letters sent to the Governor by both Ortt and Barclay.
Despite that, Ortt feels there may not be any further action taken until elected leaders are pressured more into it, which may involve the migrant situation continuing to worsen across the state.
"Sometimes elected leaders lack the vision or the courage to do what is necessary or do what is right, even though over 80% of New Yorkers acknowledge this is a crisis," Ortt said.
"This is just going to continue, this crisis, and people are going to continue to come here, these illegal migrants are going to continue to come to New York. Why? Because it's a sanctuary city. Because you can get all of the benefits of being an American citizen, of being a New York resident, who pay some of the highest taxes in the country. You get all the benefits without having to even actually go through the process of becoming a citizen, or whether or not your asylum claim is approved, whether you have the right to work. All those things are secondary, at this point. Just come here, and you get the benefits of being a New Yorker and an American. I think that's what's most galling to me, it should be what's most galling to the Governor, and it's definitely what's most galling to over 80% of New Yorkers."
While Ortt admits he doesn't have any inkling as to what comes next or what actions will be taken at the state level, he feels time is most certainly of the essence with addressing the migrant crisis.
"The right time was yesterday, but as the old saying is, 'The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is today.' No time like the present," Ortt said. "The longer this goes on, the worse I think it gets, the more complicated, and I would even argue the harder it gets to actually come up with a solution. ... How many incidents are we going to accept? Whether it's the two incidents here in Western New York, the multiple incidents that have occurred down in the city. And what are we actually doing for the migrants? Other than putting them in a hotel somewhere, and busing them all over the state and, in some cases, to other states, what are we really achieving there? I would argue nothing."
More from Ortt is available in the player below: